Publius Terentius Afer

185 - Publius Terentius Afer, better known as Terence, was a comic playwright of the Roman Republic. His date of birth is disputed; Aelius Donatus, in his incomplete Commentum Terenti, considers the year 185 BC to be the year Terentius was born. He published his six plays between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.

167 - In the circle of Scipio he doubtless met the historian Polybius, who was brought to Italy. He is said to have owed the favor of the great as much to his personal gifts and graces as to his literary eminence; and in one of his prologues he declares it to be his ambition, while not offending the many, to please the "boni."

166 - Terence's earliest play was the Andria, exhibited.

165 - The next play the Hecyra was first produced, but withdrawn in consequence of its bad reception.

160 - His last play was exhibited, and shortly after its production he went abroad, "when he had not yet completed his twenty-fifth year."

159 - He was 25, Terence left Rome and he never returned, after having exhibited the six comedies which are still in existence. Some ancient writers tend to say that he died at sea.